Hill Briefing Series #1 - Free Speech and Antitrust: Who Controls the Public Square?
The first in our Hill Briefing Series, sponsored by Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI).
In an era when powerful technology platforms shape how billions communicate, the boundary between market power and expressive freedom has been contested. This event brought together leading voices from law, policy, and academia to examine how antitrust enforcement, content moderation, and democratic values intersect in the digital age.
- How do market dominance and platform design influence the flow of information and ideas?
- What role should competition law play in preserving an open marketplace of expression?
- Can regulatory or structural remedies promote both innovation and pluralism online?
The discussion featured expert perspectives from across the ideological spectrum, followed by audience Q&A. Participants considered emerging policy proposals and legal theories shaping the next generation of platform accountability and speech governance.
Adam Cella (Chief Counsel for the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust at the House Committee) provided the opening keynote address.
Lab Visiting Fellow Donna Faye Imadi moderated the discussion with the following panelists:
- Larry Spiwak (Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal & Economic Public Policy Studies)
- Paul Matzko (CATO Institute)
- David Lawrence (Director of Policy at the Antitrust Division, Department of Justice)
- Ashkhen Kazaryan (First Amendment/Tech Policy expert)
- Aurelien Portuese (GW Competition & Innovation Lab)
